Preservation of poles and the like



Aug. 31, 192s. 1,598,552

T. J. BARRETTv PRESERVATION 0F POLES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 27. 1925INVENTOR:

Patented Ang. 3l, 1926.

UNETED SPITS M9859? PATENT GFFICT..

THOMAS J'. BARRETT, OF BORDEITTOVJL-NEW JERSEY.

PRESERVATION EOLES AND ATHE LIKE.

Application led. .'l'anuary lviy invention relates to the treatment andpreservation of poles and posts that are set in the ground, and thelike; such -as telegraph and telephone poles; posts or piles for imyinvention, these and 4other advantages,

can be realized easily and at relatively small cost; the preservativetreatment can be carried out on the job, without necessity for elaborateor expensive plant and equipment; and poles that have already beeninstalled (and even decayed somewhat) can be successfully andeconomically treated, without resetting or disturbing them. i s A Toretard decay of woodenv poles, various expediente: have heretofore beenresorted to. or example, such poles have `been creosoted or the like,especially their ends that are to be set in the earth have been givensuch treatment. Also, poles have been set or encased in concrete at andbelow the surface of the ground.

In methods Vof preservation such as typi' fied by creosoting, thepreservative does in deed penetrate the fiber of the wood and dee sti-oythe action of fungus and other deteriorating organisms; but it does notform any impervious protective layer or coating on the outside of thepole treated, and only retards decay to a relatively limited degree.Such methods, also, are practically appli cable only to new poles,before they are set.

Setting poles in concrete is not only subject to the same limitation,but also involves peculiar disadvantages of its own. lWhen a pole is setdirectly inthe ground, the soil affords it yielding support at theground line, so that elastic fissure ofthe pole below ground ispossible, and the variation of bending stresses due to wind or otherforces is gradual. l/Vhen the pole is set in concrete, on the contrary,its portion thus encased is held rigid and inflexible, so that thebending stress is not distributed, as before, but is sharplyconcentrated in maximum intensity at the point or level where th-epole-enters the concrete. Underthese conditions, the poleis liable to'besuddenly snapped off at this point. This condition is the more seriousbecause `water running down the pole causes itto decay just at and abovethe artificial ground line representedV by theA top concrete.

27, 1925. Serial No. 5,014.

ofthe concrete, so that the Weakness from decay is greatest at the verypoint where the greatest stress is concentrated.

In preferred forms of embodiment such as hereinafter described, myinvention obvates lall such disadvantages of prior practice. For a poleset directly in the earth, it affords even better protection from decayVthan a .setting in concrete, yet does not vimpair its flexibility, norresult in concentrated or accelerated decay above the protected area. Ascompared with creosoting, 011 the other hand, it aords the advantage ofan impervious adherent coating on the exterior of the pole, and even athick protective jacket around it. It is applicable to old poles, thathave been inservice for come time, and even decayed, with about the sameadvantage and convenience as to new ones;-`

whether the latter have been put or set in their holes or not. In thecase of such old poles, especially, it permits reinforcement of theportions at the ground line, that have been weakened by decay,witl'icutvinipairment of the protect-ion afforded at' this region, byreinforcing means enclosed in the protective jacket. And while itordinarily finds its most perfect and advantageous exempliflcation inthe case of poles` set and bedded directly in the ground, it is alsoadaptable and useful for the protection of poles which fare wholly orpartly set in con- Y crete for any reason.

In the drawings, Fig. I is a fragmentary side view of the lower end of apole, illustrating the application of my invention thereto. y

Fig-.II is a similar tiltedview, showing a mold around the pole for theformation of a bituminous jacket thereabout,

Fig; III is a side view'of a jacketed pole in place in the ground, thejacket appearing in section. y

Fig. yIV is a fragmentary side view of the lower end of a pole alreadyset in the ground, illustra-tingV the application of my invention underthese conditions. Y A

Fig. V is a similar view, illustrating` the jacketing of the poleundersuch conditions. Fig. VI'is a perspective view of `a mold suitableforjacketing a polek already `in place in the ground. Y f

Figs. VII and VIII are views generally similar to Figs. IV and V,illustrating the application of my invention to apole Vset in litt) linsurface of the ground and also a short dis-` tance above. vIn addition,thevpole 10 is preferably further protected by a bituminous a'cket 12'of rsubstantial thickness, applied to its 'coated portion at 11.Preferably, the'bituinin'ous `coating 11 extends '5a Shortdistance'above the jacket 12, and also somewhat below it. The coatingand jacketingmay, 'one or both, be done either before or after the pole10 is placed in ground, and even after its lowerpo'rtion has 'beentamped or otherwise permanently set. j

In giving a new polel() (as illustrated in Figs. I-III) an adherent,penetrant bituminous coating 11, I prefer to proceed (assuming ythat thepole is dry, 'or after it has been dried in any 'suitable way, as byheating with a blow torch) by applying bitumen, with a volatileinflammable liquid, to the portion, of the pole 10 that is to becoated.`

An oil-fluxed asphalt of about YQ degrees penetration, softened 'ordissolved in an o rganic solvent, such as gasoline, is very snitable: e.g., parts asphalt with 30 parts or more of gasoline. Vith suchproportions of solvent or liquefi'er, the material will be of freelyliquid consistency, so .that it can readily be brushed or sprayed on.Directly after appiicationof this bituminous material, its in'iiammabl'efluidis ignited (as by means of a torch.) and burntaway. By thecombustion of the lvolatile fluid, sufficient heat is developed tofurther dryand heat the exterior of the pole 10, and to melt lthebitumen v'itself and cause it to be partly absorbed by the wood. Thebitumen not absorbed into the pores ofthe woodremains CTI on itssurface, in the form of a thin protective coating 11, firmly adherent tovthe Wood by virtue of the penetration of the latter by the bitumen.TWith a volatile inflammable solvent,`s`uch as gasoline, benzine, or thelike, the bituminous residue will remain practically uncoked korotherwise unadected by theburning out of the fluid. As above stated,this operation can be carried out either before the` pole 10 is placedin the ground or afterward, before the earth is filled in aroundV theportion to be, coated.

l Even alone7 without addition of aV bitumi* nous jacket 12,'such acoating 11 on a pole 10 aords it valuable protection.V l

After coating, the pole 10 be invested or incased in a jacket 12 ofsuitable @bituminous material, whichmay be 'applied orv formed about itin any suitable way. `lith a proper degree of heat (according to theparticular character of the bituminous material used), this jacket 12will virtually blend with' the bitumen 11 already on the pole 10, thusforming a compact, Waterproof layer, firmly adherentl to the entire areaof the pole which it covers by virtue of the penetration of ythe latterwith bitumen in the initial coating operation.

f the Vj acketing of the pole y10 is done before it is put into theground, a split mold 13 may preferably be employed, as illustrated inII. As here shown, this mold 15 consists lof longitudinal separatedhalves hinged together at 14:, and detachably'secured to-v gether bybolts 15 pivoted to one half at 1G and adapted to be engaged in aslotted -[lange 17 on the other half. A sheet metal shield 18 or thelike may be placed over the junction of the mold halves, inside themold, to obviate any leakage of bitumen at' the junction. After the mold13 has been secured, the bitumen may be poured in through an opening 19at the top of the mold. When the bitumen has solidified, the mold 13 isremoved, le'iving the jacketed pole 10 ready for placing` and setting inthe ground. If the Ajacketing is done afterV the pole 10 has been placedin the ground and tamped up to the portion to be covered with bitumen,the Walls of the cavity around the pole will serve as 'a mold for thecorrespondingportion of the jacket 12. In order to extend the jacket 12above the ground in this case, the mold cavity aiforded by the earth maybesupplemented with a split metal mold 20, suchas hereinafter describedin connect-ion with Figs. V and VI.

A bituminous jacket 12 of this'character affords various advantages.Owing to its natural flexibility, the jacket 12,d'oes Vnot impair orinterfere with the free flex-ure of the pole 10,'though it affords themost thor ough protection to the portion at the ground line, where decayoccurs, When 'the coating 10 is allowed to extend above the top of theljacket 12, it prevents water accumula ting -on the top of the jacketfrom -rotting the pole at its artificial ground line. Preferably, 'thetop surface of ythe jacket 12 may beV beveled or rounded vofi' (eitherin molding, o'r. with al suitably heated tool afterward,) as shown inFig. III. The thickness of such a jacket 12 may conveniently be'about 2inches or more Vand it may jpreferably extend some 8 inches or 9 inchesabove ground. A great variety of materials maybe employed vfor such ajacket k12: e. g., pure :bitumen of approximately the vsame character asthatfused for the coat k11 or bitiuninou's` y mastic,y includingsufficient rather small grained mineral for other filler to render Eitharder and lless liable'to s'often under lextremesun heat. kA good,tough bituinenof this character 1wi'lljnotbe cracked in the cavity 2l ispreferably well dried,

as by heating with a blow torch. Then, while the pole l() is still hot,bitumen with an inflammable volatile fluid is applied to the portion tobe protected and .the volatile fluid ignited, just as before. In theburning out of the fluid the pole 10 is heated, dried and coated withbitumen, as already described, and the walls of the cavity 2l are alsoheated and dried. Thereafter the bituminous jacket 12 may be moldedabout the coated portion of the pole, as shown in Fig. V,-the moldafforded by the ground cavity 2l being preferably supplemented with ametal mold 20, such as shown in Fig. V1.

As here shown, the mold 2O is split lengthwise to facilitate placing itabout the pole 10, and its halves are hinged together at 23. Oppositethe hinge 23, the halves have flanges or lugs 24, 24;, one of which isslotted at 25, while the other carries bolts 26 pivoted thereto at 27,and adapted to be engaged in the slot 25 and tightened to draw the moldhalves together. rl`hus the bolts 26 aiford a range of adjustability ofthe mold to take care of some variation in pole sizes. As shown, acurved metal shield 28 is provided to cover the interval between themold flanges 24, 24:; preferably, it has a lug, 29 apertured to take thebolts 26, so that the latter may hold it in place. A short distanceabove its lower edge, the mold 2O has laterally projecting external feet30 apertured for stakes or pins 3l to be driven into the ground, to holdthe mold in position.

In dealing with a pole 10 already set, it may sometimes be preferred topour bitumen softened with an inflammable volatile fluid (suoli asgasoline) into the hole 21 around the pole 10, and to ignite and burnout the flinch-instead of applying the material in the form of a coat onthe pole 10. When this is done, the burning out of the uid will resultin a penetrant and adherent bituminous coating on the pole 10, and inthe concurrent formation of the jacket l2 around the pole. 1f sufficientbitumen to fill the mold cavity does not remain after the solvent hasburned out, additional bitumen may be poured in.

Figs. VH and VIII illustrate the application of my invention to a polel0 set in concrete 32. While this may be done substantially according toany of the methods described above, as here shown, the pole l0 hasreceived its initial bituminous coating 1l; a bituminous jacket l2 hasbeen applied to it; and it has been set and tamped about up to thelowerend of the jacket. In this instance, a metallic grillage orreenforcement 33 is shown secured around the pole 10 at the upper end ofthe jacket 12, to reenforce this more exposed portion of the jacket andassist in holding it in position.

ln this instance, the concrete 32 is notv molded directly around thejacket 12: on

the contrary, the cavity 34C in the concreteV around thepole is of suchsize as to leave a narrow interval (an inch or so) outside the jacket. Avolatile inflammable fluid e. fo the cavity 34 around the jacket 12,-either in a suitable absorbent, or simply poured in,-and there ignitedand burned away. The burning away of this fluid will serve to heat theconcrete walls of the cavity, the bituminous jacket l2, and even thepole l0 itself. As soon as the inflammable fluid has been burned away,molten bitumen may be poured into the cavity 34 to make an effectiveseal, as shown in Fig. VIII.

if preferred, bitumen with inliammable volatile fluid may be poured intothe cavity Se and burned away, thus drying and coating the walls of thecavity and even fusing the exterior of the jacket 12 itself. After theburning away of the solvent, additional bitumen can be poured in tocomplete the jacket, using a mold such as shown in Fig. Vl for its upperportion, if required.

The above described methods can be applied to the protection of metalpoles, posts, etc., as well as to wooden ones. In such cases, theburning away of the volatile inflammable fluid dries any moisture fromthe pole and produces on it a bituminous coating that adheres andprotects it, and causes the bituminous jacket (when such a jacket isemployed) to adhere to it,-although the bitumen does not, of course,penetrate sound metal as it does wood. ln thus treating iron er steelpoles already in service, any loose rust may preferably be cleaned olf,as well as all adherent dirt. Firmly` adherent rust need not bedisturbed, since the bitumen will` penetrate and seal its pores orcracks effectuanv.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. A pole yieldingly set and bedded in the ground, and invested, at theground line, in an adherent flexible bituminous protective jacket itselfdirectly embedded in the ground.

2. A. pole yieldingly set and bedded in the ground, impregnated withbitumen, and invested, at the ground line, in an adherent flexiblebituminous protective jacket itself directly embedded in the ground.

g., gasoline) may thus be introduced in- 3. The method of preserving apole that is set and bedded directly in the ground, without impairingits flexibility, which comprises inlixing it, at the ground line, in anadherent bituminous jacket `itself `directly embedded in the ground.

t. The method of preserving a pole that is set and bedded directly inthe ground, without impairing its flexibility, which comprises coatingand impregnating it with bitumen and inxing it, at the ground line, inan adherent bituminous jacket itself directly embedded in the ground.

5. The method of preserving a pole which comprises coating the pole withliquid ,bitumen containing a volatile inflammable fluid; burning out thelatter, and thus adherently coating the pole with the bituminous re-vsidue; and molding 'about the coated pole, at Vthe ground line, aflexible bituminous jacket, adherent to the kpole by virtue of itsbituminous coating. f

6. A method for treating and preserving a pole already set, whichcomprises applying bitumen anda volatile inflammable Huid about theportion of the pole at the ground line, burning away the fluid, and thusheating the walls of the cavity around the pole, as well as the bitumen;and pouring` hot bitumen into the cavityaround the pole. y

7. A method of treating'and preserving a pole already set, whichcomprises removing any decayed wood at the `ground line;

applying bitumen and a volatile inflammable fluid about thecorrespondingportion of the pole, and burning away the latter; and pouring andmolding hotV bitumen around the pole.

8. A method for treating and preserving a Vpole already set, whichcomprises removing` any .decayed wood at the vground line; heating anddrying the corresponding portion of the pole, and applying theretobitumen and a. volatile inflammable fluid; and burning away the latterand thus impregnating and coating the pole with bitumen.

k9.`A method for treating and ,preserving a pole already set, whichcomprises ap! plyingbitumen and a volatile inflammable f fluid about theVportion of the pole at the ground line, and burning away the fluid.

l0. The method for treating and Ypreserving a pole which comprisesapplying-thereto bitumen and a volatile inflammable fluid, and burningaway the latter and thus adherently coating the pole with bitumen.

ll. The method for treating and preservinga pole which comprises coatingthe .pole with bitumen softened with a volatile inflammable fluid, andburning out the latter and thus impregnating and coating 'the pole with4the bituminous residue. A

ntestimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name at Philadelphia`Pennsylvania, this 22nd day of January 1925.

' THOMAS J. BARRETT.

